BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — If you open yourself up to love, commitment, and marriage, you may be opening your heart up to better health.

Marital status has an influence on your heart. Researchers at New York University’s Medical Center found that those who tied the knot had a 5% lower a risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Single people and widowers had a 3% higher risk, and those who were divorced had a 5% higher risk.

The researchers found people under the age of 50 had a 12% lower chance of heart disease. They say one of the reasons this may be true is that your spouse is there if you are in poor health to take you to doctors’ appointments, and to help keep you healthy.